Why so pale and wan, fond lover? (Thomas Arne)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Web Page
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2023-11-07)  CPDL #77044: 

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2023-11-07).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 537 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. This edition includes the original orchestral accompaniment.

• (Posted 2023-11-07)  CPDL #77043: 

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2023-11-07).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 134 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. This edition includes a keyboard reduction of the original instrumental accompaniment.

General Information

Title: Why so pale and wan, fond lover?
Composer: Thomas Arne
Lyricist: John Suckling (adapted)
Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: solo high
Genre: Secular, Aria

Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo,Violin

First published: 1748
Description: Probably written for performance at Vauxhall.

Original text and translations

English text

Why so pale and wan, fond lover,
Prithee, prithee, why so pale?
If thy looking well can't move her,
Will thy looking ill prevail?

Why so dull and mute, young sinner?
Why so dull, so dull and mute?
If thy speaking well can't win her,
Will thy saying nothing do't?

Quit for shame, this will not gain her,
This will never, never do;
If thy whining can't attain her,
Then no more, no more pursue.